Between apricot orchards, chestnut forests, and hop gardens, it often remains well hidden: Europe’s wild side. The four-part documentary series “… and Wild Nature” takes viewers to regions where traditional agriculture and untouched nature meet directly.
Whether it’s flamingos in wetlands, rare pelicans on remote lakes, or ancient forests teeming with life – the series impressively shows how rich and surprising biodiversity can be right in the middle of our cultivated landscapes. And it introduces people who preserve these special places and work with nature – not against it.
The Wachau combines cultural landscapes with unspoiled nature. Between Krems and Melk on the Danube, apricots and grapes thrive under the best conditions in a region that was already shaped by the Romans 2,000 years ago. But climate change brings challenges: rising temperatures increase the risk of late frosts.
Lake Skadar is the largest freshwater lake on the Balkan Peninsula. Here, Dalmatian pelicans dive for fish. On its southern shore, centuries-old sweet chestnut trees are reflected in the water. The chestnut farmers are accompanied through a natural year as they face ever-greater challenges.
In the mild-climate hills just a few kilometers from the ancient Ottoman city of Berat, the traditional stone houses of small Albanian mountain villages nestle against the slopes. The documentary follows traditional fig farmers and the flora and fauna of the surrounding biotopes through a natural year in one of Albania’s most beautiful landscapes.
Nowhere in the world is there a larger hop-growing area than the Hallertau in Bavaria. At the same time, the region is a fascinating natural landscape. Between the hop gardens, wetlands and forests provide habitats for an impressive variety of species. Challenges such as drought and pests require innovative approaches from farmers.